Afghanistan
Afghanistan's Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, signed Decree No. 12 in January 2026, introducing a new penal code that has drawn widespread international criticism for institutionalizing gender and social inequality. The 119-article decree imposes harsher penalties for animal cruelty than for domestic violence. For instance, men who beat their wives may face only 15 days in prison, while organizing animal fights can lead to a five-month sentence. Additionally, the decree criminalizes women visiting relatives without their husband's consent, punishable by three months in prison.
The code also legitimizes domestic corporal punishment, strips women of legal equality, and grants men authoritative control over household decisions. It criminalizes criticism of the ruling regime, violating freedoms of expression and assembly. Social class determines punishment severity: higher-status individuals receive warnings, while lower classes face beatings and imprisonment. This comprehensive penal code enforces bans on girls' education, work rights, and dictates dress codes for women.
UN officials, including High Commissioner Volker Turk and UN Women’s Susan Ferguson, condemned the decree and urged authorities to reverse their course to prevent further marginalization of women and uphold international human rights obligations.
